Stay - Dallas Winston

7

The next two days were the most boring days of my life.  

We played cards, Ponyboy read us ‘Gone With The Wind’, and we smoked a lot of cigarettes. 

Ponyboy smoked so much it made him sick. 

Eating nothing but peanut butter sandwiches and bologna sandwiches, made me sick after the first day. 

The only thing I could eat was bread, and smoke cigarettes.  

The last night we were there, I woke up in the middle of the night. 

I went out in the back, and sat for a while smoking cigarettes. 

After about twenty or so minutes, Johnny came and sat next to me.  

“What are you doing still up?” he asked, me as he lit a cigarette. 

“Having a cigarette, I can ask you the same thing.” I smiled. 

“I couldn't sleep.” Johnny said.  

“Johnny, can I ask you something?” I said turning toward him. 

“Yeah, sure.” He said, taking a puff from his cigarette. 

“Why do you keep asking me about Dallas?” I asked him. 

“I think you would be good for each other.” he smiled. 

“How so? He’s an asshole most of the time, but I respect it... At least he's honest.” I spoke. 

“He's just trying to be tough, that's all.  He's not always an asshole.  Dallas isn't like that to you, I see how he is with you.  You're under his skin, I think that he would do anything that you ask him to do. You should see the way he looks at you.  Plus, you would keep him in line.” Johnny laughed at the end. 

“I don't think I could date someone like Dallas.  I think his ego is too big, and he doesn't care.  I don't think it would work out even if we tried.  He's too tough, and i'm too stubborn.  I'm too much to deal with, and he's impatient.”   I sighed, finishing my cigarette and lighting another one. 

“You never know unless you try. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? You break up, because it didn't work out. It's not like you hate each other, you guys hang out all the time. You guys seem fine together.  I mean, you guys haven't torn each other's heads off or nothing.” Johnny shrugged. 

“We've got a good friendship going, I don't wanna ruin our friend group.” I kicked at the loose stones on the ground. 

Johnny sat there smoking his cigarette, and looked at the ground for a while.  

I couldn't help but feel guilty about holding in the secret.  

Johnny was my best friend,  he looked out for me and told me everything.  

“Hey, Johnny.  I gotta tell you something. You gotta promise you won’t be mad at me.” I swallowed hard. 

I was so nervous my stomach flipped upside down, and I could feel sweat beads forming on my forehead. 

“Yeah, I promise.” Johnny said simply.   

“You know there is this thing about me, and Dallas that you don't know about.” I said then held my breath.   

“I've known for a while.” Johnny blinked slow, as he looked up at me. 

“What do you mean by that?” I asked him. 

He took a couple deep breaths before he spoke. 

“I know you've been sleeping together in private... for a while now.” Johnny looked away, as he took a drag from his cigarette. 

“I would have told you, but we promised we wouldn't tell anyone.” I told him, as I laid my head on his shoulder, “How did you find out?” 

“Ummmm,” Johnny started, “Dallas told me.” 

My heart rate quickened.

I could feel my face getting hot. 

“When?” I asked sternly. 

“About three years ago.” Johnny spoke in a quiet tone.  

“That fucking Bastard!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

  I threw my cigarette, and jumped to my feet. 

I was angry. 

Not at the fact that Johnny knew, but at the fact that Dallas told.  

I don't ever think that I've ever been this angry in my life. 

I was infuriated.    

Johnny had the ‘oh shit’ look on his face.

Ponyboy came out of the church. 

“I’m going to fucking bed!” I yelled, as I walked past Ponyboy, and back into the building. 

I laid down on the ground, and covered my face with my arms.  

This can't be happening right now!   

“What did you do to piss her off?” Ponyboy asked Johnny. 

“Nothing, she just had a bad dream.” Johnny told Ponyboy.